EU And Armenia Launch Talks For New Agreement

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The EU and Armenia opened negotiations on Monday on a new overarching framework for the deepening of their bilateral relations. Negotiations were launched by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian.

“We aim for a comprehensive framework agreement covering political, economic and sectoral cooperation and taking into account Armenia’s more recent commitments,” said High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini.

“Our shared common values and strong commitment to democracy, human rights, rule of law will be at the basis of the new agreement. These will create favorable conditions for stronger cooperation in sectors such as energy, transport, and environment; for new opportunities for both sides’ trade and investment; and also for increased mobility to the benefit of our citizens, both in the EU and in Armenia,” she added.

The future Agreement will replace the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (1999) and reset EU-Armenia relations within the wider framework of the recently-reviewed European Neighbourhood Policy and of the Eastern Partnership. It also serves as an opportunity to definitively turn the page following uncertainties created in 2013 when the negotiated EU-Armenia AA/DCFTA could not be completed following Armenia’s decision to join the Eurasian Economic Union.

According to the EU, the launch of negotiations follows a successfully completed joint scoping exercise for a comprehensive agreement covering political, economic and sectoral cooperation, and taking into account Armenia’s international obligations. Negotiations between the two sides will now commence in earnest.

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